Tomás Dameno Santillán.
Adalberto Cuello, the former stepfather of slain nine-year-old Tomás Santillán, denied having killed the child while testifying before prosecutor Javier Ochoaizpuro for over an hour. Cuello was charged with aggravated manslaughter.
Cuello was arrested on Thursday after the body of Tomás Santillán was found in the field of a farm in the Greater Buenos Aires area of Lincoln.
On Friday Susana Santillán, Tomás’ mother, told investigators that Cuello, her former partner, blamed her son for their split and that after the breakup, he returned several destroyed objects which belong to the child.
The investigation on Santillán’s death continues as the police analyze two mobile phones belonging to Cuello, as well as his Facebook profile.
Police wish to establish which phonecalls Cuello made and received from 12 pm on the day Tomás went missing.
In addition, six cars were confiscated and were being searched to determine whether one of them was used to kill or transport the victim. Investigators were focusing on a Fiat Palio Weekend in particular, which belongs to Cuello’s current girlfriend. According to police, Cuello was a frequent user of this particular vehicle.
buenosairesherald.com